Sleepy Hollow 🔖

Rude Awakenings

Ugh. I groaned. The noise was getting louder every second that passed. The banging, the screaming. Until I finally opened my eyes.
Those darn goblins. I made the same wish every morning: that they would crawl back to whatever hole or cave they came out from and die.

I blinked my eyes as they adjusted to the darkness. The headless horseman had programmed these disgusting things to wake up the prisoners. As I stared out of the cell, one of them was grinning at me evilly. And trust me, it was not a pleasant sight. His face was covered with warts, they all had big body parts :nose, ears, hands, feet, green teeth. And they were a really grumpy bunch.

The other girls were used to them. And you'd think that having been here for almost five days I would've gotten used to them. But no, they still pissed me off every morning.

Talk about rude awakening. Their rude and they wake me up. Not to mention they do it rudely.

I threw a rock at the goblin and he scowled and left. In a few seconds, the room was as quiet as it usually was.
I had gotten to know the girls. For the cells to the right.

Kristina - cell beside mine. And she just happened to be Tony's unfortunate sister.

Kate - cell beside Kristina's

Janet - cell beside Kate's

Alexa - Cell beside Janet's

Rachael - Cell beside Alexa's

Anne - Cell beside Rachael's

For the cells to the left.

Catherine - cell opposite mine

Elena - Cell beside Catherine's

Judith - Cell beside Elena's

Rita - Cell beside Judith's. She was the first to be brought here some twelve years ago. She was my age when she was brought here also. Add twelve years and you have 33.

Vanessa - Cell beside Rita's.

Tony's cell was beside Vanessa's. I hadn't acknowledged him since he brought me here. I still felt stupid, for letting myself be deceived. Kristina felt somewhat guilty.
Someone sighed from a cell at the other end of the room.

"I'm hungry". Vanessa stated. I liked Vanessa. She was the first to have actually acknowledged my presence when I arrived. She was also the only one who had the guts to talk back to the guards. But it came with the occasional beating, although I learnt that they can't kill us. That is of course if they don't value their heads.

"The food situation here is horrible, it's no wonder you girls look so frail". I said and I for one didn't miss the pitiful tone in my voice.

"You say that as if you're better us". Elena sneered.

I rolled my eyes, Elena was the troublesome type. She was always looking for a way to oppose me. But I'd never given her the satisfaction of a reply.

"Elena, stop picking fights". Kristina sighed and Elena murmured something.

"I have a plan". I said. And everyone's ears perked up.

"Alright listen..."

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"Hey! Guards!". I hollered from my cell. "Dummies". I shouted louder.

Footsteps approached the door. Keys jingled and the door swung open. The air from the other side of the door made my lungs jump for joy. It was fresh and cool unlike the stale, musky one in here.

"Who keeps making noise here?". One of them growled.

"Me". I said and they trailed over to my cell.

"What is it?". They were two. Tall and muscular, short and stubby. Intimidating, comical. Brawn and no brains, brains no brawn. I mentally called them Brawny and Brainy.

"I demand to see the horseman. I don't like these living conditions, they don't suit my standards". I said with my arms folded.

They stared at me blankly.
"If you have something better to say we'll be right outside"

"I demand to see that headless monster!". I shrieked.

"Shut up!". Brawny said but I didn't falter.

But as he spoke, there was another set of footsteps. The horseman came in with five other guards. Dark mist erupted from his chest. It was a gory sight. His black armour was shiny for some unknown reason. He stood in the middle of the room.

"What's all this noise about?". He boomed and all the girls whimpered.

Weaklings. There goes the plan.

"I wanted to speak with you".
His body whipped around to face my cell and I could only imagine the glare that would've been on his face.

"What is it?"

"I demand for more food. Surely something as repulsive as yourself has the decency to at least feed his prisoners with reasonable food". I sneered in his face.

There were gasps from the girls and even the guards.
"I request for good food also. Not tiny morsels of stale bread". Vanessa said also. A few of the other girls voiced their complaints.

"Let's show them what happens to prisoners who disrespect the dark Lord". Brawny growled.
I stepped back a bit.

"No". The horseman raised his hand. "Give me one reason to give you healthy rations of food. I don't see why"

I was caught off guard so I said what came to my mind.
"Um, you won't want to give us healthy rations as you put it. But at least give us tasty healthy food during these our last days on earth or wherever this is. To make it worth it"

The horseman was quiet as if considering my statement.
"Feeding us well might help the rituals. You never know". I pressed on.

"I know you're playing me but I'm sure Hades will be pleased on receiving well fed girls like you". He gestured to the other girls.

"You'll be granted your wish, but don't think you can always get what you want". He turned to leave with the guards trailing behind him. Brawny glared at me a final time before following the train.

"Well played girls. We just have to wait"

The wait wasn't long because a few minutes later, the guards returned with plates of food. My mouth watered as I stared at the food.
"We should have done this years ago". Judith said with her mouth full.

"I don't care if we're just being fattened for the ritual. I haven't eaten food this good in the past three years". Vanessa said.

I felt proud. We've achieved something as a group and there was more to come.

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Yup there's truly more to come.
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Love,Vicki.💟